Larry Light Named McDonald's Global Chief Marketing Officer
PRNewswire-FirstCall
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Sep 4, 2002
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today named Larry Light as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer for the company. In this role, Light assumes responsibility for McDonald's global marketing strategy and overall brand development efforts.
Light, most recently the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Arcature, a consulting firm focused on brand building for some of the world's best known brands, will report to Jack Greenberg, McDonald's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and serve on his Enterprise Strategy Team. Light will also serve as a member of the company's Restaurant Operating Committee, headed by Jim Skinner, President and Chief Operating Officer.
"In Larry Light, we have selected one of the world's best thought leaders in brand strategy to direct our global marketing efforts," said Greenberg. "Larry has a passion for the power and the relevance of 'brand' in today's world - a passion we firmly share at McDonald's. I'm confident that Larry's leadership and strength of character, combined with his vast experience in the marketing arena, will have an immediate and very positive impact on our overall marketing efforts."
"Life is all about opportunity and challenge," said Light. "And I look at this as an opportunity to help elevate one of the world's most valuable brands to an even higher level of strength and value. As a high water mark in my career in brand management, this is an exciting and singular chance to focus my energies on the implementation side of marketing strategy. I am excited at the prospect of helping assure that the strategy side of brand management connects with execution and produces results - results for which I will be held accountable. I'm eager to join the McDonald's team and look forward to adding value to the global marketing process."
Prior to founding Arcature, Light was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the international division of Bates Advertising, where he served on the worldwide board. Before joining Bates, Light was Executive Vice President for Marketing and Media Services at BBDO Worldwide, where he began his career in 1965.
A graduate of McGill University, the Canadian-born Light holds a doctorate degree from Ohio State University in Industrial Psychology. He has taught at New York University, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, and in the Executive Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business.
Light has also represented the marketing industry at Federal Trade Commission hearings and before both House and Senate hearings on legislation affecting marketing. Additionally, Light was the first chairman of the Coalition for Brand Equity - an advocacy organization founded by advertisers, agencies and media.
Light has a successful brand consultancy and all commitments to Arcature clients will be fulfilled. He is married with two daughters. Light and his wife will relocate to Chicago where he will assume his McDonald's responsibilities.
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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation
CONTACT: Anna Rozenich of McDonald's Corporation, +1-630-623-7316
Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/